Alaska

[TheLongRun]

Going to Alaska in June. Given the choice between a salmon trip or trying for halibut, which would you choose? I have heard mixed reports about peoples experience with salmon in Alaska, some people loved it, some though it was very dissatisfying. Lots of fish, but kinda like shooting fish in a barrel when they are heading up river. I don't know anyone who has ever been on a halibut trip.

[Lake Chuck Duck]

Man I always wanted to get on some of dem giant flounder! I say Halibut all the way!

[Red Devil]

Halibut get huge. That would be my choice!

[Ray]

Yep. Catch white meat fish.

[bjhooper82]

Originally Posted by Lake Chuck Duck

Man I always wanted to get on some of dem giant flounder! I say Halibut all the way!

X2!!

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by TheLongRun

Going to Alaska in June. Given the choice between a salmon trip or trying for halibut, which would you choose? I have heard mixed reports about peoples experience with salmon in Alaska, some people loved it, some though it was very dissatisfying. Lots of fish, but kinda like shooting fish in a barrel when they are heading up river. I don't know anyone who has ever been on a halibut trip.

We went to Alaska in 2010 and had several guided trips for both. Five of six guides we used were very good, but one was a dishonest incompetent PETA type who was more concerned with conserving a plentiful resource than helping us catch any fish.

On the whole, my wife and I found the halibut fishing more satisfying. If you are DoD (military or civilian, have a CAC card), the Halibut trips we did out of Seward Resort were very, very good and we'd recommend them highly. Seward is on Resurrection Bay and if we ever go back, we will spend the whole time there and not waste time on the Kenai Peninsula which was much less satisfying and had more than one or two businesses designed to take unfair advantage of tourists. Resurrection Bay is the most beautiful place on earth, and the tourist oriented businesses there treat customers very well. Better restaurants than Kenai also, and talented guides.

On Kenai, it seems that every spare room is for rent, every unemployed drunk is a fishing guide, and everyone looks at tourists with dollar signs in his eyes.

[TheLongRun]

Thanks. Gonna be fishing one day, prolly out of Seward if we do halibut. It's where we pick up the ferry to cross the sound for our stay in Cordova. If we do salmon we will use the guy at our lodge. Bears Den. Know anything about them?

[skeeter 05]

I am in Alaska now, ive been here for a few weeks, and been on a few halibut trips out of Homer it about a 2 hr drive from Seward but it was worth it. Nice trip caught some nice fish I would deffinately choose the halibut trip. You can get a trip around here for aroun 200 a person, I have some numbers if u need them. Also on the halibut trip you can try for some kings, at least that's what we did both times but they are a little harder to catch and only caught a few.

[Dink]

There arent any Bears chasing you in the ocean!! Halibut!!!

[Garfish]

Got it on the "bucket list" I want to catch some of them big Flatties.

[ElectricChicken]

My best friend in high school lives in Alaska. We did all the trips on a vacation up there with them. I believe it depends on what kind of fishing you like to do. With the Halibut you are basically deep sea fishing- dropping bait straight down with a lot of weight and current. The fish are some of the best eating you will find.
Salmon fishing is more casting and presentation even if you are catching reds which do not bite but you have to hook them in the mouth to keep them so it involves some technique. I personally enjoyed the salmon fishing better because of the way I like to fish and catching fish you can see is always cool. Like I said personal preference.

[DUCKGOGETTER]

Halibut for sure imo. A guy i work with went to alaska and fished for them. Went and ate some one night that he blackened with a shrimp and crabmeat creme sause over it and i just about caught a stroke. Was the best fish i've ever had.